Seven emergency tips for injured pets

Provided by HomeoPet

Tuesday

May 26, 2009 at 1:26 AM

One of the most distressing events for pet owners to encounter is witnessing their pet being injured in a road traffic accident or some other type of mishap that causes injury. When your pet does become injured, here are some tips from HomeoPet to increase your pet's chance of a speedy recovery:

Get your pet out of harm's way. If your pet was involved in a road traffic accident, move the animal to the side of the road, using slow, deliberate movements. You don't want to scare the already frightened animal or worsen any injuries that your pet might have suffered.

Call a veterinarian. Add your veterinarian's telephone number into your cell phone speed dial in case of an emergency, or if you are traveling, the number of a local veterinarian. Do not administer fluids or food to the animal in case an anesthetic is needed, unless instructed by the veterinarian, as in the case of a diabetic with low blood sugar.

Stop any bleeding. To stop heavy bleeding, apply firm pressure with a clean towel or cloth. This is usually better than a tourniquet, which can lead to tissue death from lack of oxygen. To stop a graze bleeding, apply powdered pepper or turmeric, which are easily available and good clotting agents.

If an injured animal feels icy cold due to shock, wrap a plastic bottle filled with warmed water in a towel to avoid burning or overheating the animal. Never put a hot water bottle directly against the animal. The animal can also be wrapped in insulating material such as a rug, a thermal blanket or even bubble wrap. If an animal is in shock, a quiet, dimly lit space can be helpful.

When a pet has been badly injured and is not easily handled due to pain, use a large rug to transport dogs or a cage (or box) lined with a towel for small pets such as cats, rabbits or hamsters. If you suspect fractures, a board can be used like a stretcher. Remember, even the most friendly pet may bite when in pain. A thick towel wrapped around your arm and hands can help. A tie or soft rope can be used as an emergency muzzle or leash.

Clean wounds can be washed with calendula herbal tincture (available at most health food stores), 10 to 20 drops in tepid water. Infected wounds can be safely cleaned with tepid salt water. Use as much salt as will dissolve in water.

Always carry a tube of healing cream for external application onto wounds, cuts, bruises, burns and bites, as well as a trauma/first aid kit for internal use for shock, sprains, injury and swelling.

For details on HomeoPet or to view case studies, visit www.homeopetpro.com on the Internet.

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